Tips for Effective Classroom Use of Blogs and Wikis

Advice

Critical for Students to be Actively Involved in Knowledge Creation with Monitoring for School Appropriateness

Emphasize Development of Reflective Skills

Address privacy by first names only and no personal pictures

Provide Students Insight into Peers Experience with Wikis and Blogs

Mechanics

Enabling Public to Post Comments Promotes Critical Thinking

Requiring Titles Enables Searching by Subject

Creative Use of Background and Graphics Promotes Interest

Use of Captions, Descriptions, Video, Pictures Encourages Exploration

Enable Sharing Resources and Links

Add a “Chat” Function to Use for Peer Interaction of Social Nature

Offer Anonymous Option to Protect Student Self-esteem when Asking Questions

Add Tutorials in Web 2.0 Aids such as Social Bookmarking and RSS Feeds

Set Up for Assignment Submission and Review

Strategies

Post Learner Challenges for Students to Engage in Problem-Solving Discussion

Assign Student to Post Highlights of Today’s Lesson

Questions that Encourage On-line Conversations Promote Higher-Order Thinking

Provide Instructions on How To Write Effective Responses

Plan Strategies to Insure Students Check Blogs or Wikis Daily, such as Assigning a Different Facilitator Daily

Offer Extra Credit for Revision and Extra Contributions such as Filling in Missing Information not Required as Incentive for Participation

Structure some Elements of Reflection in Order to Give the Students a Place to Start

For Example:

Reflect on Use of Class Time

Personal Progress in Class

What was Difficult for the Student to Understand

Questions

Thoughts on Connecting Content to Real Life

Allow Choices such as Review of Reading Assignments, How-To Instruction

Create a Place for Students to Show their Projects

Introduce Strategies in Conflict Resolution and Addressing Diversity Communication

Integrate Blog and Wiki into Class Lessons by Pointing out Information Contained in Them

Give Examples of Good, Bad, Clarify Expectations for Postings

Value Postings by Using Resources from the Blog or Wiki and Refer to Them in Class

Provide Detailed Instruction to Help Overcome Technology Issues

Utilize RSS feeds of Recent Blog Activity as a Reminder to Blog

Assessment Rubric includes Process and Final Version

Promote Special Programs such as Studying Abroad

Motivating Students

Give frequent, early, positive feedback that supports student's beliefs that they can do well

Ensure opportunities for student's success by assigning tasks that are neither too easy nor too difficult

Help students find personal meaning and value in the material

Create an atmosphere that is open and positive

Help students feel that they are valued members of a learning community